Phalaenopsis plant named &#39;splash gordon&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Phalaenopsis plant named ‘Splash Gordon’, characterized by its upright plant habit; moderately vigorous growth habit; strong flowering stems; strong and relatively small leaves; freely flowering habit with typically two inflorescences per plant, each inflorescence with numerous flowers; large white, reddish purple and yellow-colored flowers; and good postproduction longevity.

CROSS-REFERENCED TO CLOSELY-RELATED APPLICATIONS

Title: Varieties of Phalaenopsis Plants

Inventor: René Schoone

Filed: Feb. 25, 2020

Ser. No.: 63/100,011

Inventor and Applicant/Assignee hereby claims the benefit of thisprovisional U.S. Patent Application.

Botanical designation: Phalaenopsis hybrida.

Cultivar denomination: ‘SPLASH GORDON’

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY INVENTOR/APPLICANT

An European Community Plant Breeder's Rights application for the instantplant was filed by the Applicant/Assignee of the instant application,Floracultura B.V. of Heemskerk, The Netherlands on Sep. 20, 2019,application number 2019/2322. Foreign priority is not claimed to thisapplication.

The Inventor and Applicant/Assignee assert that no publications noradvertisements relating to sales, offers for sale or public distributionoccurred more than one year prior to the effective filing date of thisapplication. Any information about the claimed plant would have beenobtained from a direct or indirect disclosure from the Inventor and/orApplicant/Assignee. Inventor and Applicant/Assignee claim a prior artexception under 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(1) for disclosure and/or sales prior tothe filing date but less than one year prior to the effective filingdate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPhalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis hybrida, andhereinafter referred to by the name ‘Splash Gordon’.

The new Phalaenopsis plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the Inventor in De Lier, The Netherlands. The objective ofthe breeding program is to develop new fast-growing and freely floweringPhalaenopsis plants with good leaf shape and large flowers with uniqueand attractive patterns and coloration.

The new Phalaenopsis plant originated from a cross-pollination inOctober, 2012 in De Lier, The Netherlands of Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘PinkTwilight’, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with aproprietary selection of Phalaenopsis hybrida identified as code numberCX 333, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. The newPhalaenopsis plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor as asingle flowering plant from within the progeny of the statedcross-pollination grown in a controlled greenhouse environment inHeemskerk, The Netherlands in February, 2016.

Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis plant by in vitro meristempropagation in a controlled environment in Assendelft, The Netherlandssince February, 2017 has shown that the unique features of this newPhalaenopsis plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successivegenerations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have been observed under all possiblecombinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. Thephenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditionssuch as temperature and light intensity, without, however, any variancein genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘Splash Gordon’. These characteristicsin combination distinguish ‘Splash Gordon’ as a new and distinctPhalaenopsis plant:

-   -   1. Upright plant habit.    -   2. Moderately vigorous growth habit.    -   3. Strong flowering stems.    -   4. Strong and relatively small leaves.    -   5. Freely flowering habit with typically two inflorescences per        plant, each inflorescence with numerous flowers.    -   6. Large white, reddish purple and yellow-colored flowers.    -   7. Good postproduction longevity.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of the femaleparent, ‘Pink Twilight’. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis differ primarilyfrom plants of ‘Pink Twilight’ in flower color as plants of the newPhalaenopsis have white, reddish purple and yellow-colored flowerswhereas plants of ‘Pink Twilight’ have soft pink-colored flowers withslightly darker pink-colored stripes.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of the maleparent selection. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis differ primarily fromplants of the male parent selection in flower color as plants of the newPhalaenopsis have white, reddish purple and yellow-colored flowerswhereas plants of the male parent selection have dark red/purple andwhite-colored flowers.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of Phalaenopsishybrida ‘Avant Garde’, not patented. In side-by-side comparisons, plantsof the new Phalaenopsis differ primarily from plants of ‘Avant Garde’ inflower color as plants of the new Phalaenopsis have white, reddishpurple and yellow-colored flowers whereas plants of ‘Avant Garde’ havepurple/red and white-colored flowers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Phalaenopsis plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors ofthe new Phalaenopsis plant.

The photograph on the first sheet (FIG. 1) is a side perspective view ofa typical flowering plant of ‘Splash Gordon’ grown in a container.

The photograph on the second sheet (FIG. 2) is a close-up view of atypical flower of ‘Splash Gordon’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations andmeasurements describe plants grown during the early spring in 10-cmcontainers in a glass-covered greenhouse in Heemskerk, The Netherlandsand under cultural practices typically used in commercial Phalaenopsisproduction. Plants were 18 months old when the photographs anddescription were taken. During the first twelve months of production ofthe plants, day and night temperatures averaged 27° C. During the finalsix months of production of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 20°C. to 22° C. and night temperatures ranged from 18° C. to 20° C. Duringthe 18 months of production, light levels ranged from 5,000 lux to amaximum of 10,000 lux. In the following description, color referencesare made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2015 Edition,except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘Splash Gordon’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘Pink Twilight’, not            patented.        -   Male parent.—Proprietary selection of Phalaenopsis hybrida            identified as code number CX 333, not patented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—By in vitro meristem propagation.        -   Time to initiate roots.—About two weeks at temperatures            about 28° C. to 30° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant.—About 20 to 25 weeks            at temperatures about 28° C. to 30° C.        -   Root description.—Thick, fibrous; typically grey to green in            color; actual color of the roots is dependent on substrate            composition, water quality, fertilizer, substrate            temperature and age of roots.        -   Rooting habit.—Low amount of branching; medium density.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant form and growth habit.—Herbaceous epiphyte; upright            plant habit with typically two inflorescences per plant,            each inflorescence with numerous flowers; monopodial;            moderately vigorous growth habit and moderate growth rate.        -   Plant height, substrate level to top of foliar plane.—About            7.5 cm.        -   Plant height, substrate level to top of            inflorescences.—About 45.3 cm.        -   Plant diameter or spread.—About 40.6 cm.-   Leaf description:    -   -   Arrangement and quantity.—Distichous, simple; sessile; about            six leaves per plant.        -   Length.—About 20.3 cm.        -   Width.—About 5.6 cm.        -   Aspect.—Outwardly arching.        -   Shape.—Oblanceolate; moderately carinate.        -   Apex.—Unequal acute.        -   Base.—Sheathing.        -   Margin.—Entire; moderately revolute.        -   Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces.—Smooth,            glabrous; very slightly glossy.        -   Venation pattern.—Camptodromous.        -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to NN137B;            towards the base and the margins, tinged with close to 200A.            Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to 200A slightly            tinged with close to N186C. Fully expanded leaves, upper            surface: Close to NN137A to NN137B; venation, close to            between N186C and 200A. Fully expanded leaves, lower            surface: Close to between 146A and 147B; towards the base            and the margins, slightly tinged with between N186C and            200A; venation, close to 144A to 144B.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance and flowering habit.—Showy zygomorphic flowers            arranged on axillary branched racemes; typically two            inflorescences per plant; each inflorescence with about ten            flowers; flowers face outwardly on arching inflorescences            supported by upright peduncles; flowers with three petals,            two lateral petals and one center petal transformed into a            labellum and three sepals.        -   Fragrance.—None detected.        -   Time to flower.—Plants begin flowering about six months            after planting.        -   Flower longevity.—Long flowering period, individual flowers            maintain good substance for about eight weeks on the plant;            flowers not persistent.        -   Inflorescence length (lowermost flower to inflorescence            apex): About 26 cm.

    -   Inflorescence width.—About 13.5 cm.        -   Flower buds.—Height: About 2.1 cm. Diameter: About 1.6 cm by            1.8 cm. Shape: Broadly ovate. Color: Close to 195A;            proximally, close to N77B; sepal margins, close to 59A.        -   Flower size.—About 6.7 cm (vertical) by 8.5 cm (horizontal).        -   Flower depth.—About 3.1 cm.        -   Petals, quantity and arrangement.—Three, two lateral petals            and one center petal transformed into a labellum.        -   Lateral petals.—Length: About 4.3 cm. Width: About 5.1 cm.            Shape: Reniform. Apex: Shallowly emarginate to rounded.            Margin: Entire. Texture and luster, upper and lower            surfaces: Smooth, glabrous, moderately velvety; matte.            Color: When opening, upper surface: Close to N78A to N78C;            towards the base, close to 76D; dense variegation, venation            and spots, close to between 71A and N79C, N79C and between            N79B and N79C. When opening, lower surface: Close to 76B;            venation, close to 77B. Fully opened, upper surface: Close            to N78C to N78D; towards the base, close to NN155C; dense            variegation, venation and spots, close to between N78A and            NN78A, N78A and between N79B and N79C; color does not change            with development. Fully opened, lower surface: Close to 76B            and 77D; venation, close to 77B; color does not change with            development.        -   Labella.—Appearance: Tri-lobed with two lateral lobes and a            central lobe. Length, lateral lobes: About 1.9 cm. Width,            lateral lobes: About 1.4 cm. Length, central lobe: About            3.3 cm. Width, central lobe: About 0.8 cm to 2.2 cm. Shape,            lateral lobes: Obovate. Shape, central lobe: Deltoid. Apex,            lateral lobes: Obtuse. Apex, central lobe: Emarginate with            two short, narrow and recurved cirrose tips, about 1.1 cm in            length and about 2 mm in width. Margins, lateral lobes:            Shallowly crenate. Margins, central lobe: Entire. Texture            and luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous,            moderately velvety; matte. Callosities: Located at the base            of the labellum and attachment point of the lateral petals;            about 4 mm in length, about 6.5 mm in width and about 6 mm            in height. Color: When opening, upper surface: Lateral            lobes: Close to NN155B; towards the apex, slightly tinged            with close to 76B; towards the base, spots, close to N71A;            basal margin, close to 12B with edges, close to 172C.            Central lobe: Close to 76C; towards the apex and midvein,            close to N78B; towards the base, close to 11B with margin,            close to 184B; at the base, proximally (at connection of            lobe to column), close to N77A and distally, close to 157A;            cirrhose tips, close to N78B to N78D. Callosities: Close to            11C; distally, close to N77A. When opening, lower surface:            Lateral lobes: Close to NN155B and 157D; towards the apex,            tinged with close to N78C; basal margin, close to 13C with            edges, close to 172B to 172C. Central lobe: Close to N78A;            towards the basal margins and lateral apices, close to 166B;            at the base, proximally (at connection of lobe to column),            close to 157A to 157B; cirrhose tips, close to N78D to            lighter than N78D. Fully opened, upper surface: Lateral            lobes: Close to NN155B; towards the apex, slightly tinged            with close to 76B; towards the base, spots, close to N71A;            basal margin, close to 12A with edges, close to 172C.            Central lobe: Close to 76C; towards the apex and midvein,            close to N78B; towards the base, close to 11B with margin,            close to 184B; at the base, proximally (at connection of            lobe to column), close to N77A and distally, close to 157A;            cirrhose tips, close to N78C to N78D. Callosities: Close to            11C; distally, close to N77A. Fully opened, lower surface:            Lateral lobes: Close to 155C; towards the apex, tinged with            close to N78C; basal margin, close to 12A with edges, close            to 172B to 172C. Central lobe: Close to N78A; towards the            basal margins and lateral apices, close to 166B; at the            base, proximally (at connection of lobe to column), close to            157A to 157B; cirrhose tips, close to N78D to lighter than            N78D.        -   Sepals.—Quantity and arrangement: Three, two lower lateral            sepals and one upper dorsal sepal. Length, lateral sepal:            About 4.2 cm. Width, lateral sepals: About 2.7 cm. Length,            dorsal sepal: About 4.2 cm. Width, dorsal sepal: About            3.4 cm. Shape, lateral sepals: Ovate; moderately concave.            Shape, dorsal sepal: Broadly elliptic; moderately concave.            Apex, lateral sepals: Broadly and bluntly acute. Apex,            dorsal sepal: Obtuse. Base, lateral and dorsal sepals:            Truncate. Margin, lateral and dorsal sepals: Entire. Texture            and luster, lateral and dorsal sepals, upper surface:            Smooth, glabrous, velvety; matte. Texture and luster,            lateral and dorsal sepals, lower surface: Smooth, glabrous,            slightly velvety; slightly glossy. Color, lateral sepals:            When opening, upper surface: Close to 76D to lighter than            76D; towards the apex, close to N78B; towards the margins,            lighter than 76D; heavily spotted and splashed with close to            59A to darker than 59A; fine reticulate venation, close to            N186C; basal blotch, close to 193A to 193B. When opening,            lower surface: Close to 195A to 195B; towards the base,            tinged with close to N77B; venation, close to 187A. Fully            opened, upper surface: Close to 76D to lighter than 76D;            towards the apex, close to N78A to N78B; towards the            margins, lighter than 76D; heavily spotted and splashed with            close to 59A to darker than 59A; fine reticulate venation,            close to N186C; basal blotch, close to 193A to 193B. Fully            opened, lower surface: Close to 196B; towards the base,            tinged with close to N77B; venation, close to 71A. Color,            dorsal sepal: When opening, upper surface: Close to 75A to            75B; towards the apex, close to NN78A to NN78B; towards the            margins, lighter than 79D; heavily spotted and splashed with            close to 59A to darker than 59A; fine reticulate venation,            close to N186C. When opening, lower surface: Close to            between 199B and 199C; broad margins, close to 76A to 76B;            venation, close to N77A. Fully opened, upper surface: Close            to 75A to 75B; towards the apex, close to NN78A to NN78B;            towards the margins, lighter than 79D; heavily spotted and            splashed with close to 59A to darker than 59A and N79C; fine            reticulate venation, close to N186C. Fully opened, lower            surface: Close to between 182C and 199D; broad margins,            close to 76A; venation, close to N77B.        -   Peduncles.—Length: About 53.7 cm. Diameter: About 5 mm.            Strength: Strong. Aspect: Upright to about 35° from            vertical. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; matte.            Color: Close to 200A; fine dots, close to 146C to 146D.        -   Pedicels.—Length: About 3.5 cm. Diameter: About 4 mm.            Strength: Moderately strong. Aspect: About 70° from peduncle            axis. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color:            Close to N186D and 187D; proximally, close to between N186C            and 200A, and distally, close to 156D with stripes, close to            N77B.        -   Reproductive organs.—Androecium: Column length: About 9 mm.            Column width: About 7 mm. Column color: Close to NN155D;            towards the apex, tinged with close to N78B. Pollinia            quantity: Two. Pollinia diameter (per two pollinia): About            2.5 mm. Pollinia color: Close to 23A. Gynoecium: Stigma            length: About 3.5 mm. Stigma width: About 4 mm. Stigma            shape: Reniform. Stigma color: Close to NN155D. Ovary            length: About 8 mm. Ovary diameter: About 2 mm. Ovary color:            Close to 145C. Seeds and fruits: To date, seed and fruit            development have not been observed on plants of the new            Phalaenopsis.-   Pathogen & pest resistance: To date, plants of the new Phalaenopsis    have not been shown to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to    Phalaenopsis plants.-   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have been    observed to tolerate temperatures ranging from about 15° to about    40° C. and are suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 10 to 12.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant named ‘SplashGordon’ as illustrated and described.